Real Madrid News
Real Madrid veteran ruled out of La Liga clash against Real Betis due to suspension
Real Madrid were dealt a major blow in the defence of their La Liga title as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico Madrid on Saturday night.
The result now leaves the door open for La Liga leaders Barcelona to widen the gap at the top to ten points should they defeat UD Almeria later tonight.
Things will only get more difficult for Carlo Ancelotti’s side moving forward as they have a tricky run of fixtures lying ahead.
Up next for Real Madrid is a visit to Estadio Benito Villamarin to face Real Betis. And, they will have to take on Manuel Pellegrini’s side without one of their main man in Luka Modric.
Indeed, the 37-year-old veteran midfielder has been ruled out of the game against Los Verdiblancos after he picked up a yellow card late in the contest against Atletico on Saturday night.
The booking meant that Modric now has received five yellow cards in La Liga this season, which earns him an automatic one-match ban.
This is certain to come as a blow for Real Madrid, considering that matches against Betis are always tricky, and having an experienced individual like Modric would have been handy for Ancelotti & co.
But the Real Madrid boss has enough depth in the middle of the park with Toni Kroos, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos, Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde.
Modric has played 33 matches so far this season for Los Blancos, producing a tally of six goals and five assists. The 37-year-old has less than five months left on his contract with the club and a renewal is not yet certain.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
